Why I Left Half a Day for Tossa de Mar—and Why You Probably Should Too

19 maggio 2025

On my recent solo trip through Spain, I made one of the best spontaneous decisions of the entire journey: I carved out half a day to visit Tossa de Mar.

It wasn't a big plan. Just a quiet urge to be near the Mediterranean, to walk without rushing, and to see what a small coastal town might hold. What I found was a place that felt like it had been rinsed clean by the sea—soft blue waters, medieval stone paths, and a calm that didn’t need translation.

The Route: Simple and Scenic

Getting there from Barcelona took just 1.5 hours by car. You can book a round-trip bus ticket online or at the station for around €27, but since we were a group of four, we hired a car for the day (€300 total). It gave us the freedom to visit both Blanes and Tossa de Mar without watching the clock. (Blanes is lovely too, if you’re planning a full-day route.)

White building of Hotel Cap d'Or with tourists walking on the street in Tossa de Mar

Even with just half a day in Tossa, the time felt generous. Everything essential is within walking distance. You’ll arrive and feel like the sea is closer than expected—like the town was built to frame it.

What You Can See in a Few Hours

· Torre d'en Joanàs:

A stone gate overlooking the water, and one of the best spots to pause without distraction.

· The seaside path:

Just walking along the coastal promenade, especially between landmarks, is quietly rewarding.

· Vila Vella's Old Walls:

History woven into the cliffside, giving you those elevated views that look like they belong on postcards.

· The Museum or Gothic Church ruins:

Easy stops if you’re moving slowly, no ticket rush, no pressure.

· Pebbled edges of the beach:

I didn’t snorkel, but just sitting by the rocks gave the same pause-for-life effect.

· Wandering the town itself:

It’s not staged or polished—just slow and sunlit.

Why It Stayed With Me

Tossa de Mar doesn’t try too hard to impress. It doesn’t have to. The town's mood is carried by the breeze, shaped by the sea, and held by its old stones. I didn’t expect much, but I left with photos that feel like film stills and memories that didn’t need much narration.

I had my backpack extension enshrouded, light and compact, holding only what I needed—water, sunscreen, and a towel I never used. A 20L daypack was enough to let me move freely without feeling like I was traveling.